Livestock Waste

Indiscriminate disposal of waste from the livestock industry has been one
of the main causes of pollution in streams in the New Territories, and still
constitutes a health hazard in places. Before 1987, the 700 000 pigs and
12 million poultry produced a total of 840 000 tonnes of wastes. This was
equivalent to the pollution load of the raw sewage from more than 1.6
million people. Most of it ended up in Hong Kong's small streams and
rivers and eventually, the sea. Since 1988, keeping livestock in new towns
and environmentally sensitive areas has been banned under the Waste
Disposal Ordinance. Where they are allowed, all livestock farms must be
equipped with proper waste treatment systems. By the end of 1997, the
pollution load had been reduced to about 81 000 tonnes.

Livestock farmers wishing to continue in business are eligible for a grant
and a loan to help pay for pollution-control facilities. Since the start of the
scheme in 1987, about $55 million has been paid out in capital grants.
Farmers ceasing business are eligible for an allowance and about $865
million has been paid.

During the year, the livestock waste control scheme prevented pollution
equivalent to the raw sewage from 190 000 people being discharged into
the environment. This brought the total reduction in livestock waste
pollution to over 88 per cent since the inception of the control scheme.

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